Coronavirus: Orange County To Investigate PAUSE Violations

GOSHEN, NY — Orange County has established protocols for investigating possible violations of state-mandated stay-at-home and social distancing orders in the county. Since March 7, officials said various executive orders have been issued by the governor dealing with reducing social density in businesses and public places.

Complaints received by the state PAUSE Enforcement Assistance Task Force are reviewed by state personnel for accuracy and applicability and are then referred to law enforcement in the jurisdictions where the violations are said to be occurring.

The "New York State on PAUSE" executive order went into effect at 8 p.m. March 22 which mandated all non-essential businesses statewide be closed and all non-essential gatherings of any size for any reason were canceled or postponed. It also established the practice of social distancing of at least 6 feet between individuals.

Follow all the coronavirus updates in New York. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler and County Sheriff Carl E. DuBois said Tuesday complaints alleged to be occurring in the county will initially be investigated by the New York State Police and the Orange County Sheriff's Office, in consultation with the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

In the event that it is determined that criminal charges are not warranted, subsequent referrals might then be made to the county Department of Health or other county or local regulatory agencies, such as code enforcement officers.

Officials said those offices, in consultation with the county attorney's office, will determine whether fines or other penalties should be pursued.

Hoovler said that all agencies involved in this initiative agree that obtaining voluntary compliance with social distancing regulations is the primary goal.

"Law enforcement officials have been encouraged to issue warnings, and to break-up and disrupt illegal and unsafe gatherings, before considering filing charges or taking other punitive measures," he said.

"However, we cannot tolerate those who refuse to comply with lawful orders of the police to disperse and thereby endanger others as well as themselves," Hoovler said.

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said this task force will help the county put restrictions on businesses and gatherings through executive orders designed to reduce public density.

"In turn, it will slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19," he said.

According to information posted on the Orange County COVID-19 dashboard dated Tuesday, there were 4,075 positive cases of the new coronavirus. There have been 107 deaths related to the virus.

The Town of Palm Tree has 428 confirmed cases. The City of Newburgh has 346 and Wallkill and the City of Middletown both have 343. New Windsor as 328.

Like Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.